CJI stresses need for better facilities for advocates

Kochi, Nov 8 (UNI) Stressing the need to provide better facilities to advocates, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan today said this would improve the efficiency of the legal system and also help the general public.

Inaugurating the commencement of the construction work for an advocates' 'Chamber Complex' in the high court here, Mr Balakrishnan noted that Kerala was the only state in the country which did not provide advocates' chambers.

Even district courts in places like Delhi and Madurai had chambers for advocates, he said.

Apparently alluding to a controversy over the land earmarked for the advocates' chambers in the high court here, the chief justice said all controversies should be forgotten and the project should be carried forward.

The chief justice said that a proposal by the lawyers in Delhi for a ten acre area to construct additional chambers was pending before the prime minister.

Noting that chambers were constructed out of government funds, the chief justice said that advocates had to pay only a nominal rent.

Kerala Chief Justice H L Dattu delivered a special address on the occasion. Among those present at the function were judges A K Basheer and J B Koshy, Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad and Advocates Association President P Jacob Varghese.

The 520-chamber complex is expected to be completed within 18 months.

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